Where is the Select Objects arrow tool in Word 2011?

Original Title: "Word 2011 Mac - select tool - white arrow"

I switched to Mac and I'm making some drawing/graphics with multiple parts. Some are shapes, some are clip art, some are gifs found on the internet.

On a PC, I'm used to having the white arrow that would allow me to select multiple objects easily. That white arrow is not in the Mac version. It appears that the only method is to hold down the CMD key while clicking the parts of the object. This is quite annoying now that my object has 30 parts that overlap everywhere. That old "select tool" would be really nice to have.

Where did it go for MAC users?

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Answer

Daniel G. Grau

You can add the missing tool to a toolbar. I don't recommend modifying either of the two built-in toolbars (Formatting and Standard). If you want to add it there, you can skip step 1.

1) Create a new toolbar

a. In the main menu bar, select View > Toolbars > Customize Toolbars and Menus.
b. At the top of the dialog box, select the Toolbars and menus tab.
c. Click on the New button at the top right. Give the toolbar a name and press OK. Pay attention, as the new toolbar will be hard to see it because it's small. You can move it around by grabbing it just below the Close circle.

2) Add the missing selection tool

While still in the Customize... dialog box:

a. Click on the Commands tab at the top.
b. In the "Categories" list to the left, click on "All Commands" to select it.
c. In the list to the right, scroll to "SelectDrawingObjects."
d. Click on the name and drag it to the toolbar.

3) Assign an optional shortcut

While still in the Customize... dialog box:

a. Click on the Keyboard... button. A new dialog box will open.
b. Again, find the command in the lists, as in Steps 2b & 2c.
a. Place your cursor in the "Press new keyboard shortcut" field and type a key sequence (it should be something you can type with one hand). Most Control + Letter sequences are available. Word will let you know if the shortcut is already taken. The shortcut will work as a toggle.

To use the "Select Drawing Objects" tool, click anywhere but on a picture and drag the selection rectangle. Remember that the tool stays selected, so you need to deselect it to resume normal work.

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Where is the Select Objects arrow tool in Word 2011?

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Where is the Select Objects arrow tool in Word 2011?

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